Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 277-285 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 282 ethical guidelines and conservation strategies, ensuring that the benefits of wild tea species are shared equitably and sustainably (Niu et al., 2019; Shim et al., 2024). By fostering global partnerships, the tea industry can leverage the genetic potential of wild species to address challenges such as climate change, pest resistance, and quality improvement, ultimately benefiting producers and consumers alike. 7 Future Perspectives 7.1 Integrating wild tea genetic resources into sustainable breeding programs The integration of wild tea genetic resources into breeding programs offers a promising avenue for enhancing the genetic diversity and resilience of cultivated tea varieties. Wild tea species, such as Camellia taliensis, possess valuable traits like abiotic tolerance and biotic resistance, which are crucial for the genetic improvement of cultivated tea trees (Zhang et al., 2015). The use of advanced genomic tools, such as genome-wide association studies and transcriptomics, can facilitate the identification of beneficial alleles from wild relatives, enabling their incorporation into breeding programs (Mukhopadhyay et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2020). By leveraging these genetic resources, breeders can develop new tea cultivars with improved stress resistance and quality traits, ensuring the sustainability of tea agriculture in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges (Li et al., 2023). 7.2 Long-term benefits for biodiversity and tea agriculture The utilization of wild tea species in breeding programs not only enhances the genetic base of cultivated tea but also contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. By maintaining a diverse genetic pool, the risk of genetic erosion is minimized, which is vital for the long-term sustainability of tea agriculture (Mukhopadhyay et al., 2015; Zhao et al., 2021). The genetic diversity found in wild tea populations, such as those in the Guizhou plateau and Qianjiazhai Nature Reserve, provides a reservoir of traits that can be harnessed to improve yield, quality, and resilience of tea plants (Niu et al., 2019). This approach not only supports the development of robust tea cultivars but also promotes the conservation of wild tea species, ensuring their survival and continued availability as genetic resources for future breeding efforts (Figure 3) (Samarina et al., 2022). Figure 3 Morphological variability of the typical mature leaves of the mutant forms and cultivars of tea collection in FRC SSC RAS, Sochi, Russia (Adopted from Samarina et al., 2022) 7.3 Recommendations for policy and investment To fully realize the potential of wild tea species in breeding programs, strategic policy and investment initiatives are essential. Governments and stakeholders should prioritize the conservation of wild tea habitats and support research initiatives aimed at characterizing and utilizing these genetic resources (Meegahakumbura et al., 2018). Investment in biotechnological tools and infrastructure, such as genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding,
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